First Baptist Church of Herndon

Anything but love

Linda Soller | Feb 06, 2017

Charlie Brown’s friend Pig-Pen walks around in a cloud of dirt and dust. He is oblivious to its impact on others because the gang accepts him as he is. One day he may meet others who do not.

Today we routinely encounter people who will use anything but love to cope with the world. These people are quick to blame someone or something for what they see as wrong. To be kind might be seen as being caring. Why should they care? They ask, what’s that person done for me?  They should be asking what’s that person done to me to deserve any lack of kindness? Others see kindness as weakness. In their world only the strong survive. In a bully’s world they must be stronger than others to survive. Who taught them kindness equals weakness? When did they leap from understanding it’s good to be empowered, but it doesn’t require making others powerless.

We encounter others who see patience as passive. They beep their horns to be sure all around are aware of their personal level of frustration. They dare not wait for anything or anyone, they must be first. They feel special, they feel entitled, they don’t know the word “empathy.” They don’t want to know why, they want what they want, when they want it. They are like Pig-Pen, oblivious to how others see them.

Jesus preached to people who desired a change in their world’s balance of power.  They wanted a leader who would use anything but love to raise them from their current state. They wanted to feel empowered and thought that meant others must be powerless. Many of those people were disappointed in Jesus and His teachings. He would have the “unclean” be elevated, the meek inherit the earth, and the powerful share their worldly goods. He welcomed all. He taught kindness and patience.

In today’s world we wake daily to news of violence, to news of power moves, to cries of blame, to shouts of what’s in it for me, and to lies in the face of the truth. Indeed, today the world is too dangerous for anything but love!  

Celebrate love!     : o)  Linda

Don’t believe me? Open your Bible and read 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8.   Thanks Sean and Courtney for inspiration this week.